What does “detox” mean?

Detoxification or “detox” diets are ways to remove “toxins” from the body to improve health. This is different from alcohol or drug detox. Instead, it refers to toxins in our environment or even our food. Detox diets may last for a day or weeks. Some methods involve fasting, removing foods from a diet, drinking juices, or taking supplements. They are said to help with a variety of illnesses such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, obesity and intestinal problems. ¹

Although “detoxes” or “cleanses” are increasingly common, the idea of removing impurities from the body has been around for centuries. Ayurveda (an ancient Indian science) and traditional Chinese medicine both use this method.² Fasting, or limiting foods on certain days, is also part of many modern religions. Today, we hear about it in magazines and TV shows. Hollywood celebrities have their own brands. There are many books, expensive supplements, juices, natural products and internet packages that all advertise them. However, we don’t yet have scientific proof that mainstream or fad detoxes are helpful.

What is a “toxin”?

Scientists and doctors don’t have a clear definition of a toxin. Toxins can be the waste products that our body naturally produces, like carbon dioxide. Most people think of toxins as chemicals that are bad for people and the environment.

Some chemicals have been tested for safety. But we don’t know much about the long-term health effects of most chemicals. We know even less about mixtures of these chemicals. What we do know is some of them, like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been connected with heart disease, cancer, hormonal problems, growth problems for children, and brain problems.¹

We are surrounded by thousands of industrial chemicals. They are in our air, food, water and household products. They come from pesticides, herbicides, smoke, flame retardants (chemicals that make things resistant to fire), and other chemicals used in factories. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitors industrial chemicals. Scientists at the CDC sampled a number of people living in the United States. From their research, we know that every person in the United States has chemicals in their bodies.³ The CDC even found 200 industrial chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides in newborns.⁴